EP0816974B1

EP0816974B1 - Computer enclosure having side opening for removable media

Info

Publication number: EP0816974B1
Application number: EP97110431A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert Sun Microsystems Inc. Lajara; Clifford Sun Microsystems Inc. Willis; Alan Lee Sun Microsystems Inc. Winick
Original assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
Current assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
Priority date: 1996-07-01
Filing date: 1997-06-25
Publication date: 2001-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-25
Also published as: EP0816974A2; US5722748A; EP0816974A3; DE69707572T2; DE69707572D1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and improved computer enclosure having a side opening for removable media, such as a CD drive, tape, PCMIA card or the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a clamshell type enclosure wherein the cover pivots at the front and is swung downwardly rearwardly to engage the base. The side opening in a side panel which extends up from the base is framed with a bezel and the cover is outwardly displaced adjacent the bezel so that the bezel does not interfere with closing the cover.
A damshell-type computer enclosure is known from document US-A-5 287 244.
Most access openings for CDs and the like are located in the front of the enclosure . Because the mechanics of assembling and disassembling the top or cover and the base, the parting line of the access opening to the case at the front creates no problem. The CD may be flush with the face of the enclosure. However, the placement of the acces s opening in the front is cosmetically inferior to side placement.
There are other side access openings in commercially available computer enclosures. However, in some of these products, there are only covers on two sides rather than four sides, as in the present invention. In other side opening products, only floppy disks are inserted and the problems involved in such products are much less complex than where CDs are installed because CDs usually require controls and jacks which must come out of the side. Hence providing a bezel which accommodates such controls and jacks interferes with closing of the cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

A computer enclosure has a base and a cover. The cover closes in a clamshell fashion in that it is pivoted from the bottom edge of the front rearwardly downwardly and its rear end engages the rear of the base. On one side an opening is formed in a side panel of the base for a slit through which CDs or other accessories may be inserted and removed and a larger opening for controls and jacks. The openings in the side pane 1 are framed with a bezel in accordance with the present invention. The bezel projects out beyond the boundary of the side, a distance of approximately 3 millimeters. Buttons and controls may project out further than the bezel. To prevent interference of the projecting bezel with closing of the cover, the cover is flexible and the area of the cover which overlies the bezel is displaced or distorted outwardly. After the cover is closed, the cover returns to its original shape and the bezel lines the edge of an opening in the cover designed for such purpose. A computer enclosure according to the invention is as set out in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a computer enclosure and cover.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing beginning of the closing of the cover.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of portions of the structure of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the cover about to be closed.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing the cover closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The enclosure of the present invention employs a base 21 having a bottom 22 and vertically upstanding front 23, rear back end 24, side 26 panel and opposite side 27. Side panels 26 and 27 are formed with vents. Mounted within the base 21 are various electronic components shown in FIG. 1. These are, of course, merely representative. One such component is CD drive 25. On either side of rear 24 is a curved vertical guide 28 which curves downwardly rearwardly.
Cover 31 has a top 32, front end 33, rear flanges 34 to engage guide 28, side 36 and opposite side 37. Side 36 is formed with corrugations 38 for cosmetic purposes and also to provide unobtrusive ventilation holes. Side 36 is flexible in the sense that it may distort outwardly from a plane.
An irregular shaped window (not shown) is formed in side 26 adjacent the forward end thereof. A bezel 42 frames the window and bezel 42 is formed with a horizontal slit opening 43 for inserting and removing a CD or another accessory and a larger opening 44 for controls and jacks. As best shown in FIG. 6, bezel 42 has an outward projection 46 from the plane of the remainder of side 26 a distance of approximately 3 millimeters. Buttons and controls (not shown) may project further than projection 46 for a total protrusion of about 5 millimeters.
As also best shown in FIG. 6, a portion 49 of side 36 contacts the upper edge of bezel 42 and is outwardly distorted beyond the extension of projection 46. Therefore, as the cover 31 is pivoted from the front edge downwardly rearwardly, (see FIGs. 2 and 3) the outward distorted portion 49 clears the bezel 42 and then snaps back to original shape. Bezel 42 frames side opening 51 which is congruent with the opening 43 and another opening 52 which is congruent with the opening 44.
As the cover is moved from the position of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the lower edge of front 33 engaging the lower edge of front 23, the cover is initially in an upwardly-rearwardly slanted position and swung downwardly rearwardly as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the outward distortable portion 49 clears the projection 46 and no interference occurs.
Flanges 34 are guided in their downward-rearward motion by curved guides 28 and lock therearound to hold the cover accurately in place. Screws (not shown) are used to secure cover 31 in position.

Claims

A computer enclosure comprising a base (21) comprising a bottom (22), an upstanding base front (23), and at least one upstanding base side (26,27), said one base side (26) being formed with a base opening, a bezel (42) framing said base opening and projecting outward relative to said one base side (26), said bezel (42) having a bezel opening (43),

a cover (31) comprising a top (32), a cover front (33) substantially perpendicular to said top (32) and at least one cover side (36) perpendicular to said top (32),

said one cover side (36) being formed with an outwardly distortable portion (49) overlying and spaced outwardly of said bezel (42),

said cover side (36) being formed with a cover opening (51) substantially congruent with said bezel opening (43),

a lower edge of said cover front (33) engaging a lower edge of said base front (23) when said cover (31) slants upwardrearward prior to closing and said outward distortable portion (49) clearing said bezel (42) as said cover (31) pivots downward rearward to closed position and then resuming original condition.
The enclosure of claim 1, in which said bezel opening comprises a horizontal slit (43) shaped for insertion in and removal of removable media inward of said base opening and a further opening (44) for controls or jacks for said removable media.
The enclosure of claim 2, in which said cover opening comprises a first opening (51) substantially congruent to said slit (43) and a second opening (52) substantially congruent to said further opening (44), said first opening (51) being in alignment with said slit (43) and said second opening (52) being in alignment with said further opening (44) in the closed position of said cover (31).
The enclosure of any of the preceding claims, which further comprises a curved vertical guide (28) on rear edge of said one base side (26) and a flange (34) on a rear edge of said one cover side (36) positioned and shaped to engage and be guided by said guide (28) as said cover (31) pivots to closed position.
The enclosure of claim 4, in which said flange (34) comprises a forward-facing channel shaped to fit around a rear edge of said guide (28).